Ghirardelli Partners
with College on Chocolate Classroom
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
St. Helena, CA – The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, maker of premium chocolate
products, has joined with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to open the Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center. The facility, located at the college's Greystone campus in St. Helena, CA, was dedicated yesterday, March 4, with an unveiling
and ribbon cutting—with a ribbon cutting using giant chocolate scissors.
In the Center, CIA students learn the science of chocolate
and explore how quality chocolate can be used in baking, pastry, culinary, and
beverage settings. It is home to the Chocolate and Confectionery Technology and
Techniques course for baking and pastry arts degree students at the CIA. The Center
also houses advanced education for professionals who want to hone their
confectionery and chocolate making and sculpturing skills, as well as basic
pastry arts classes for food enthusiasts.
"The rapid pace of innovation in the foodservice industry constantly
creates new demands for specialized skills and knowledge," says CIA President
Tim Ryan. "This exciting partnership will both inspire students and professionals
to shape the future of the pastry arts and also delight chocolate aficionados
everywhere."
"The Ghirardelli Company vision is to change the way the
U.S. consumer experiences chocolate. All of us at Ghirardelli share a
passion
for our brand and a strong belief in its potential to connect with and
engage
consumers in all settings. We are excited to extend our passion to our
foodservice business," says Marty Thompson, president and CEO of
Ghirardelli
Chocolate Company. "This partnership offers a unique opportunity to
show future chefs first-hand the impact that our high quality
chocolate can have on their menu. In turn, we look forward to having
these
chefs' creativity and passion inform and influence our
new recipes and product innovations."
Adds Christopher Eklem,
the company's vice president of foodservice, "Ghirardelli is committed to
enhance our presence within the chef community. What better way is there
than to partner with the prestigious CIA? The relationship with the CIA is a
natural fit because their students are the future leaders of the industry
segments we serve, such as restaurants, bakeries, and specialty coffee
establishments."
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center is centrally
located on the first floor of the main building, where campus visitors can see
students at work through the show windows. Many items produced there will be
available for purchase in the at the
CIA at Greystone.
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Photo Captions and Hi-Res Images
Photo 1: Marty Thompson, president and CEO of Ghirardelli Chocolate
Company and Russell Scott, dean of education at the CIA, cut the ribbon to
dedicate the new Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center at the CIA at Greystone. (Photo
credit: Charlie Gesell/CIA)
Photo 2: A look inside the new Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center at the CIA at Greystone. (Photo
credit: Charlie Gesell/CIA)
Photo 3: Chris Eklem, vice president of foodservice for Ghirardelli admires the chocolate pair of scissors created by CIA Baking & Pastry Chef-Instructor, Stephen Durfee. The chocolate sculpture was created for the dedication of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Discovery Center, where CIA students will learn more about creating foods with chocolate. (Photo
credit: Charlie Gesell/CIA)
About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent,
not-for-profit college offering associate and bachelor's degrees with majors in
culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and culinary science, as well as
certificate programs in culinary arts and wine and beverage studies. As the
world's premier culinary college, the CIA provides thought leadership in the
areas of health & wellness, sustainability, and world cuisines &
cultures through research and conferences. The CIA has a network of 46,000
alumni that includes industry leaders such as Grant Achatz,
Anthony Bourdain, Roy Choi, Cat Cora, Dan Coudreaut, Steve Ells, Charlie Palmer, and Roy Yamaguchi. The CIA also offers courses for
professionals and enthusiasts, as well as consulting services in support of
innovation for the foodservice and hospitality industry. The college has
campuses in Hyde Park, NY; St. Helena, CA; San Antonio, TX; and Singapore.
About The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer
and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852 and in
continuous operation since then, Ghirardelli has the richest heritage of any
American chocolate company. Ghirardelli continues to honor its heritage to this
day. Ghirardelli is one of the few companies in America that controls the
entire chocolate manufacturing process, from cocoa bean to finished product.
This control over the manufacturing process combined with Ghirardelli's
proprietary bean blend and unique methods of roasting and processing, ensures
that you are rewarded with the highest quality and richest products.
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